BOOK - LEARN ABOUT BIRDS - Sacon Education · and radio programmes, books, slide sets, etc., (3)...

Anaikatty P.O., Coimbatore - 641 108 INDIA

SÁLIM ALI CENTRE FOR ORNITHOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY

LEARN ABOUT BIRDSLEARN ABOUT BIRDS

Pramod P

Divyapriya C

Rájan Pilakandy ISBN : 81-902136-0-7

Exploring nature through birds (ENTB) is a

science education programme initiated by Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, executed in collaboration with many partners across the country. This programme is catalysed and supported by NCSTC-DST, Government of India. This programme intends to communicate the scientific temperament, habit of careful observation, and learning directly from Nature among children, teachers and all nature lovers.

Learn about birds is a part of the science education module developed for supporting ENTB. This gives some brief accounts of birds, their life and introduces the 52 selected common birds for careful observation and monitoring under this programme.

For more about ENTB and participation, log on to http://www.saconeducation.org/entb

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology

and Natural History (SACON)

Coimbatore

NCSTC-DST

Government of India

The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural

History (SACON) is a national institution devoted

to the cause of conservation of India's

biodiversity with focus on birds. SACON is

situated in the sylvan surroundings of Anaikatty,

24 km northwest of Coimbatore city, within the

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is a Centre of

Excellence of the Ministry of Environment &

Forests, Govt. of India. The management of

SACON is vested in a Governing Council

comprising 17 members and its Chairman is the

Secretary / Additional Secretary of Govt. of India,

Ministry of Environment and Forests.

SACON's mission is to help conserve India's

biodiversity and its sustainable use through

research, education and peoples' participation

with birds at the centre stage.

SACON conducts research in Ornithology covering

all aspects of biodiversity & Natural History.

The Division of Nature Education in SACON

creates environmental awareness in schools and

colleges across the country. Through various

nature education programmes, SACON tries to

inculcate and nurture the love for nature, curiosity

and scientific temperament among Children and

general public.

About SACON

National Council for Science & Technology

Communication (NCSTC) is a division of

Department of Science and Technology, Ministry

of Science & Technology, Government of India.

This is the apex organisation that endeavours in

the popularization of science and technology

(S&T) and stimulation of the scientific and

technological temper amongst the people.

Some of the important activities of the NCSTC

are; (1) research in thrust areas of S&T

communication, (2) developing capacity on

selected areas of S&T through science

communication by means of scripts, films, video

and radio programmes, books, slide sets, etc.,

(3) short term training for school teachers and

activists of S&T based voluntary organisations in

science communication, (4) encouraging the

outstanding science communicators through

awards and recognition, (5) coordinating with

state councils and networks of S&T based

organisations, (6) conducting field programmes

for demonstrating innovative ideas of science

popularisation, outreach and extension activities

including National Children's Science Congress,

Science Day celebrations, promotion of voluntary

blood donation programmes, environmental

awareness and posit ive action, etc.,

(7) promoting international cooperation for

mutual benefit, and (8) to encourage intelligent

debate on developmental issues and to create

excitement concerning advances in S&T.

About NCSTC

Pramod P Divyapriya C Rájan PilakandyF F

LEARN ABOUT BIRDS For Exploring Nature through Birds

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology

and Natural History (SACON)

Coimbatore

NCSTC-DST

Government of India

Published by : Supported & Catalysed by :

Published by

Anaikatty P.O. Coimbatore 641 108.

Supported & Catalysed by :

First Printing March 2014

ISBN : 81-902136-0-7

Photo Courtesy:Subramanian Chockalingam Mansur Ahamed and GaythriRájan Pilakandy Divyapriya CMadhumita PanigrahiChaithra Shree J

Drawings by :Rájan Pilakandy

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)

National Council for Science and Technology CommunicationDepartment of Science and TechnologyMinistry of Science and Technology,Government of India

Printed at:

No.6, Sri Venkateswara Industrial Estate,Ellai Thottam Road Extn.,Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641 004.Ph : 0422 - 323 0 223E-mail : [email protected]

Shrishti Impression

Contents

Acknowledgements ....................................

Foreword ...................................................

Preface .....................................................

Understanding Birds ..................................

Feathers .............................................

Bill or beak ........................................

Feet ...................................................

Bird diversity in India .................................

Exploring Nature Through Birds ...................

Human Associated Birds.............................

Wetland Birds............................................

Farmland Birds...........................................

Woodland Birds..........................................

Glossary ...................................................

05

06

07

09

10

12

15

17

20

21

27

32

38

45

Acknowledgements

Exploring Nature through Birds is a nature education programme of SACON, supported by NCSTC/DST. It is the vision of Dr. D.K.Pandey, Scientist of National Council for Science and Technology Communication with the full support of Dr.B.P.Singh the Head, NCSTC, has lead to the development of this programme in SACON. We wish to express the gratitude to these two visionaries along with all the Project Advisory Committee members of DST for appreciating the plan of the project and giving full support for this endeavour. Many par ticipants of first brainstorming session of this programme such as K.S. Krishnan, Suhel Quader, Sultan Ismail, Prabhakar, E. Kunhikrishnan, Arpit Deomurari, U.N. Ravikumar, P. Jeganathan, Harish Bhat, T.N. Vijayakumar, Sathian Meppayur, Thomas Vazhakkadan, and R. Eswaran have contributed well to the growth of the idea. Director and all scientific staff of SACON have contributed in many ways for the improvement of the ENTB programme. We express thanks to all of them for their selfless efforts in support of this programme. We hope the wishes of all these well wishers will take this module forward. Purpose of this module is nurturing scientific temperament and love towards birds and nature in the young minds. We dedicate this book to those thirsty minds of children and youth.

Authors

GOVERNMENT OF INDIAMINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

TECHNOLOGY BHAVAN, NEW MEHRAULI ROAD,

NEW DELHI - 110016

FOREWORD

With best wishes,

New DelhiDated : 27.06.2014

(Dr. B.P. Singh)Scientist ‘G’ & Head (NCSTC)

Department of Science & TechnologyGovernment of India

India is a land of astounding beauty of landscapes and breathtaking wilderness that encompasses from microscopic organisms to massive wild animals. With large number of terrestrial vertebrate endemism, India stands out as a mega biodiversity country with population of diverse communities of birds, reptiles and mammals.

Knowledge generation about our wild animals and creating the awareness progressing with good pace as a result of extensive works of scientists and nature lovers. In this context, the programme “Exploring Nature Through Birds (ENTB)” organized by SACON and supported and catalysed by National Council for Science & Technology, Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology , Government of india, is significant. It aims to take the avian biology to children. The high biodiversity destruction and climate change have necessitated systematic documentation of biodiversity and bio-monitoring of ecosystems. This programme, I hope will strengthen scientific temper among students and teachers.

The module of three booklets and posters are good support materials in the hands at children. “Learn about Birds”, a part of this module aims to introduce 52 selected common birds and will serve as a bird identification guide. Bio-monitoring of Indian birds requires an understanding of Indian birds, knowledge of identification method and field methodologies to collect and systematize the data. The book “How to Study Birds” is very handy to facilitate the participants to study avifauna.“Fun with Birds” use infotainment methods to learn about birds and contains some fun activities and puzzles for children.

I felicitate my colleague Dr. D.K. Pandey, Scientist ‘F’ who was instrumental in conceptualizing the module. I also thank Dr. P. Pramod, Scientist, SACON and his team of dedicated bird scholars who contributed to this module.

I hope all will enjoy this module and develop bird-watching as a part of their learning activities. Enjoy the nature through knowledge of birds.

Birds always inspired humans. Even the stone age men have drawn birds in their arts in the cave walls. For many centuries in the past, birds have inspired artists, and bird images are frequently used to adorn everyday objects. Human affection for birds dates to the dawn of our species. Eagles, Doves and Crows permeate our history, cultures and religions. Cranes, Falcons, Geese, and Parrots adorn the walls of even Neolithic caves, Egyptian pyramids, Mayan temples, Mogul and Rajasthani paintings and many homes today across the world. Each new generation marvels at the beauty and variety of birds, their value to our species, and their ability to fly away, leaving us simply to wonder.

Across the world, human societies valued birds for economic, cultural, ethical and spiritual reasons. Some of the most enduring Indian cultural symbols are birds, reflecting the many qualities that human beings admire in them and aspire to in themselves. We can see so many birds as symbols of different kinds of virtues in the epic stories. Indian Puranic characters such as Garuda and Jadayu believed to be the Brahmini Kite and Vulture, have significant role in the belief systems of this land. Many of the 'vahanas', symbolic vehicles of the gods and goddesses are birds. Many birds such as Peacocks, Cranes, Parrots, Hornbills, Kingfishers, Doves, Sparrows and even Owl have played a role in shaping the ideas and values of different human societies in India.

Birds are indicators of the state of the environment. Birds are also indicators of environmental hazards. Studying birds tells us about the habitats on which we are all dependent. Because they are sensitive to habitat change and easy to census, birds are the ecologist's favorite tool. Changes in bird populations are often the first indication of environmental problems. Whether ecosystems are managed for agricultural production, wildlife, water, or tourism, success can be measured through the study of birds.

The dramatic decline in Eurasian Skylark numbers in western Europe was indicative of the relentless intensification of agricultural practices

Preface

and the non-sustainability of the Agricultural Policy. In the 1950s and 1960s, a huge drop in the numbers of Peregrines and other birds of prey raptors in Europe and the USA was linked to the buildup of DDT in the food chain, traces of which were increasingly being found in people. Dramatic decline of Vultures and Sparrows in India are indicative of our own mis-managements and wrong doings with respect to our environment. In general, places that are rich in bird species are also rich for other forms of biodiversity. Birds can be used as good indicators of these important areas.

Birds definitely are the windows towards the mind boggling wonders of nature. We have so much to learn about the birds and from the birds. The programme of Exploring Nature Through Birds (ENTB) is an attempt to train children and nature lovers to see the world through the innocent eyes of birds, to love birds, and through birds, the nature. This is conceived as a nature education programme, an initiative of Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore executed in collaboration with many partners across the country. This programme is supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This project intends to communicate the scientific temperament, habit of careful observation, and learning directly from Nature among children. This book of “Learn about Birds” is part of a module made to motivate children, youth and nature lovers to take up this programme.

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Birds are warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrates characterized by many adaptations making them masters of the air. Birds are living flying machines along with the bats and insects. Birds belong to the class Aves which contain 28 orders which are broadly classified into Passerine and Non-Passerine groups. Passerines are the largest group of birds that perch on the tree branches and this group includes Bulbuls, Robins, Munias, Tailorbirds, Crows, Flycatchers, etc. The feet of these birds have three toes directed forward and one backward that give them a grip while perching on tree branches and their leg arrangement helps them not to fall during their sleep. Passerines include song birds that communicate within their species and with other species through their unique calls and songs. Non-passerines are non-perching birds that include Owls, Pigeons, Doves, Kites, Hornbills, Barbets, Woodpeckers, wetland birds like Herons, and ground-nesting birds like Indian Peafowl, Francolin.

Like other animals, birds also have many organs but wings and beak makes them different. In birds, forelimbs are modified as wings with feathers and it is primarily used to fly. Bats also have modified forelimbs as wings but they don't have feathers. Some birds like Kiwi, Ostrich cannot fly, as they have very heavy body and their wings are not developed to take them to air. Beak or bill is another special character which has similar function of teeth. But birds don't have the normal teeth. Birds have well balanced hind limb which can balance whole body in any situation. Birds are more lightweight than other creatures because they have special hollow bones and beaks that weigh much less than jaws. Light weight features of birds help them in flight. Thus, feather, beak/bill and claws makes birds different from other creatures.

What makes a bird different from others animals?

P. Pramod

UNDERSTANDING BIRDS

LEARN ABOUT BIRDS

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These feathers have different functions. Each type of feathers are located in different parts of the body of a bird. Flight feathers are present in primaries and secondaries and these are main structure of the wings which helps them to fly. Except flight feathers, all other feathers are broad in structure with equally sized barbs on both the sides of the rachis. Filoplumes have barbs on the tip of the rachis and it is very soft than any other feather type. These soft feathers such as semiplume feathers, filoplume feathers and downy feathers keeps them warm, wing feathers allow flight and tail feathers are used for steering.

The color of the feathers is helpful to birds to hide or attract or find a breeding partner.

Purple-rumped Sunbird

FEATHERS

Feathers have very light weight hollow-rachis and thin interlocked barbs. The middle thick lining is called rachis and it has interlocked barbs along the two sides. Each feather is fixed in the body of a bird with hollow shaft. The interlocked barbs can break the air, so that they can fly easily.

Feathers do many jobs for birds. There are six types of feathers such as tail feathers, flight feathers, semiplume feathers, filoplume feathers, bristle feathers and downy feathers present in all birds.

Indian Peafowl Tail feather of Indian Peafowl

Indian Peafowl

Types of Feathers

Structure of a Feather

Tail Flight Samlplume Filoplume Bristle Downy

SÁLIM ALI CENTRE FOR ORNITHOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY LEARN ABOUT BIRDS

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Camouflaging is common in wild birds and are sometimes essential to survive from their predator. Eg: Many waders have sandy coloured feather, so that they can easily camouflage with coastal, mudflat, etc. Some birds like Minivets and Orioles are very colourful. However different feather colours are very important for mate attraction and escaping from predators.

Bills/beaks are unique to birds and are modified form of mouth. Shape and size of the beak vary among bird species depending on their food and feeding behavior. The beaks are adapted to the kind of food they are eating such as nectar, fruit, meat, insects, larva and grains. Thus the beaks are modified in birds for crushing, pecking, drilling, tearing. It is possible to predict bird's food by observing their beak size, structure and shape. The beak has mainly four parts i.e., Cere, Gape, Upper and Lower mandible.

BILL OR BEAK

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Indian Roller Flight feather of Indian Roller

Structure of the beak

Beak Adaptations

DrillingEg. Woodpecker

Tearing MeatEg. Eagle

Seed CrushingEg. Parakeet

FilteringEg. Duck

SweepingEg. Pelican

FishingEg. Kingfisher

Insect eatingEg. Oriole

NectarineEg. Sunbird


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Birds are classified into different groups according to their food preferences and beak shape, which is also similar in each group.

1. Carnivore: Feeds on flesh and other animal parts. Eg. Black Kite.

2. Piscivore: Mainly eats fishes. Beaks of piscivores birds have very thick and long beak. Eg. Kingfisher.

3. Nectarivore: Feeds on nectar from the flower. Eg. Sunbirds.

4. Insectivore: Feeds on insects. eg: Warblers, Iora, etc.

5. Frugivore : Feeds on fruits/ berries. eg: Barbets, Pigeons, Parakeets.

6. Granivore: Feeds on grains. eg: Munias, Parakeets.

7. Pelagivore: Feeds in sea column. eg: Gulls, Terns, Frigate Birds, etc.

8. Vermivore: Feeds on worms. eg: Plovers, Sandpipers, etc.

9. Molluscivore: Feeds on Molluscs. eg: Openbill Stork.

10. Herbivore: Feeds on plant materials, eg: Purple Moorhen.

11. Omnivore: Feeds on both animal and plant materials. eg: Myna.

Structure of the birds' feet also is adapted to their habit and habitat. We can predict what their habit is and where they do live by seeing their feet shape. Water dependent birds like Ducks, Cormorants and Boobies have webbed foot. Woodpecker like tree bark climbing birds need very strong claws for their easy up and down movements along the tree bark. Raptors need very strong feet with strong claws to hold the prey. Many birds are spending most of the time in the ground, their feet are very well adapted to walk. So, we can categorise bird feet according to their adaptation and function.

FEET

Feeding guild structure and beak shape

Structure of a bird's feet

Black Kite Kingfisher Sunbird

Common Iora Coppersmith Barbet Indian Silverbill

Tern Ringed Plover Asian Openbill

Purple Moorhen Common Myna


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Prey holdingEg. Eagle, Vultures, Shikra

ClimbingEg. Woodpecker

SwimmingEg. Duck, Cormorant

PerchingEg. Crow, Myna

WalkingEg. Waterhen, Robin

Feet and Claws adaptations


More than 1300 species of birds have been reported from Indian Subcontinent. This contingent belongs to the 48 bird families out of the total 75 families of the world. From the present Indian territory itself 1177 species of birds were identified. This accounts to 13 % of the total bird species found in the world. The vast variety of birds found here attracts tourists and bird-watchers and eco-tourists from all over the world. There are over 925 breeding species. The prime reason for this extraordinary diversity accounts to the different bio-geographical regions in India such as Trans Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Desert, Semi-arid, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Central India, Deccan plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeast Coasts and Andaman & Nicobar islands; all of which have its own unique bird species.

Besides this, a few birds considered to be extinct have been rediscovered, example being the Jerdon's Courser and Blewitt's Owlet. Some others have been elevated from subspecies to full species based on new understandings. 75 species of Indian birds are threatened which fall under the critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable lists of IUCN globally threatened birds.

India's position in tropical latitudes with the diverse temperature and rainfall regimes promoted different kinds of ecosystems in this land mass. Over and above this geographical reasons, human activities in the last few thousand years also added the complexity of the distribution of life and living creatures here. The natural vegetation of India primarily consists of forests, majority of grasslands found in the region are not natural plant formations but have originated secondarily due to destruction of natural forests in some places. Therefore, these represent various stages of seral (successional) development due to the influence of a variety of biotic influences. Wide variety of biogeographic formations or habitat variabilities in India favours existence of high diversity of birds along with many other biota.

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BIRD DIVERSITY IN INDIA

LEARN ABOUT BIRDS

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Himalayas range being the Northern corridor of our nation has many mountain rivers and high altitude forests where resides the rich diversity of flora and fauna. Foothills of Himalayas extend to Gangetic plain with alluvial soil, a land of fertile soil. The higher altitude of Himalayan forests has coniferous trees and lower slopes with broad-leaved forests. River Ganga is the source for rich forests and marshy landscapes that shelters a great number of plants, birds and mammals. The evergreen forest at the Gangetic plains and in Western Ghats receive good rainfall and hence have dense canopy throughout the year. A diverse variety of Woodpeckers, Orioles, Bulbuls, Flycatchers, Barbets, and Hornbills can be seen as the forest possess good source for food and shelter. These forest or woodland birds in the evergreen forest occupy specific foliage layers. Woodpeckers, Orioles and Hornbills occupy the middle storey layer, and the birds like Thrushes, Warblers live in the shrub layer. The bottom ground layer with good vegetation cover harbours birds like Babblers, Hoopoe, etc. The birds in top emergent and canopy layers easily escape from human eyes as they are well hidden in the heavy cover of leaves of the forest. Bird watching in evergreen forests need sharp ears than eyes, as most of the time birds cannot be seen and are identified only by their calls. The forest birds like Owl, Hornbill nests in tree holes, whereas birds like Flycatchers, Crows, Bulbuls build cup shaped nests.

Parts of Punjab, Rajasthan and parts of Andhra Pradesh possess dry and semi-dry landscape. The birds that are well adapted to live in such dry scrub jungle areas have survival skills of their own. Sandgrouse, Quails, Coursers, Junglefowls, are well adapted to live in dry arid conditions. They create nests on the ground called “scrape” nest and the colour of their eggs are camouflaged with the background, aiding in escape from predators like grazing animals, dogs, etc. These ground nesting birds feed majorly on seeds and also on insects. Down south in the Peninsular India are Deccan plateau and Western Ghats encompassing hills, forests and a long coastal belt. Delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra covers the North Eastern part with estuaries, mangroves and large number of tributaries. The birds that are well

suited to live in such inland coastal landscapes are broadly classified as Wetland birds. Sandpipers, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Darters, Pelicans, Storks, Ducks, Geese, Herons, Grebes, Stilts, Waterhen, Moorhen are some of the wetland bird groups in India. These birds feed on fishes, snails, molluscans, crustaceans, water snakes and nests in ground or on the bed of leaves that float in river close to river bank. Storks roost communally and nest on the trees near river banks.

Birds are well adapted to their habitat and live according to their nature. Human interferences into their habitat has disturbed their population and survival extensively. Some birds are adapted to live alongside of human habitation. They can be categorized as Human-associated birds like Common Crow, Common Myna, House Sparrow, Tailorbird, Blue Rock Pigeon, Indian Robin, etc. They feed on grains, seeds and nest in holes of houses and temples.

A group of granivores (grain and seed eaters) reside in close to agriculture habitat and among them few are considered as agriculture pest by farmers, as they feed on the grains and spoil their yield. The Agriculture birds of India include, Weaver Bird, Parakeets, Rosy Pastor and Indian Roller. Bee-eaters, Drongos also habituate in agriculture landscape and feed on the insects that attack the farm plants and in a way favouring our farmers.

Thus, the rich diversity of plains, deserts, plateaus, mountains, rivers and coastal areas is the reason for the large bird diversity of India and our country is one of the “Mega Biodiversity Countries” in the world.


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EXPLORING NATURE THROUGH BIRDS

SACON has initiated the Project named “Exploring Nature Through Birds”, for the communication of science of Ecology and Ornithology among the children across the country.

This project intends to communicate the scientific temperament, habit of careful observation, recording, analyzing the data in the real time situation among children. It will initiate a nation-wide field monitoring programme in avian biology with selected set of target group of birds by means of participatory science education activities. The web site developed to collate and present the data, connect and coordinate the teams working in various par ts of the country is now available to login. Ultimate aim of the project is to develop the skills of learning through careful observation and simple experiments among students through teachers and communicate the scientific curiosity and temperament through field based activities.

SACON started a nationwide citizen science programme to monitor populations and life of common birds through this programme. This programme expects partnership of all possible bird watching groups, schools, colleges and scientific institutions. This aims to develop horizontal relationships with all these partners and as many web portals, databases as possible. In a brainstorming workshop conducted in Coimbatore for this programme identified 52 species of birds as candidates for initial monitoring across the country. The following sections introduce those birds.

Human beings have transformed their living habitats considerably across the world. From the villages to the cities through the suburban world this transformation has a gradient. Birds also are adapted to this changing conditions. Some of them are well adapted, some could not and left the place. The adapted ones we can call as Human-associated birds. For the purpose of the programme of ENTB we have suggested 13 among them for detailed study. They are House Crow, House Sparrow, Blue Rock Pigeon, Common Myna, Asian Koel, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Red-vented Bulbul, Indian Robin, White-browed Wagtail, Greater Coucal, Common Tailorbird, Spotted Owlet and Black Kite.

One can see House Sparrow all around the city and town. They feed on rice and grains and also build the nests in crevices in the houses and buildings. House sparrow is a small sized bird. Adult male has grey crown, chestnut nape, and black colour throat. Females look similar to male, but it has paler buff supercillium, dark brown streaking on buffish mantle and unstreaked greyish white feathers without black throat. It has a short and stout bill to feed on cereals, grains, tender shoots and kitchen scraps.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

House Crow (Corvus splendens)

No one need an introduction to crows. They are stout perching birds. Crows have fairly long straight bill, very strong feet and legs, and a tuft of nasal bristles extending over the base of the upper beak. House Crow has black crown face and throat

HUMAN-ASSOCIATED BIRDS


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contrasting with paler nape, neck and breast, giving rise to collared appearance. The grayish neck part distinguishes it from its close relative Jungle crow which is fully black. They are well adapted to human settlements and an indicator of insanitation and does the sanitation work for us. They are the major scavenger of human habitations all over the world. It is a communal rooster, roosts in huge numbers in trees and grooves.

Rock Pigeons are our commensal adapted well to human life, calm with stout compact body, short neck, and a small head and bill. It looks bluish grey in colour with glistening metallic green, purple, and magenta shine on upper breast and around the neck. Tail is grey in color and has blackish band

with short broad black bars. They live in colony and roost in cliff ledges within cliff gaps and remains. They are living in and around buildings in towns and cities. They feed chiefly on seeds and green shoots. They are long distant flyers.

Mynas are found everywhere in human settlements and seen in flocks.

These birds have a strong yellow bill and legs, moderately long wings and a squared tail. Common Myna has yellow skin around the eyes, glossy black on head and breast merging into maroon brown on rest of the body. It has large white patch on wings, tail tip and white vent. They generally feed on insects, kitchen scraps and sometime scavenge on garbage. They roost communally often with crows. These are fearless and fly swiftly and for far distances. They build nest in the natural holes of the trees.

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

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Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)

Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica)

Asian Koel is a brood parasitic bird that means it lays eggs in Crow's nests and destroys the rightful owner's eggs. Koel has an elongated body with a long graduated tail and de-curved bill. Male is glossy black all over the body with a dull lime-green bill and brilliant red eye. Female looks brown above with faint glossy green color and it is spotted and barred with white color buff all over the body. It is strongly barred with dark brown color.

The eggs are brooded by crows and young ones are taken care by crows. It is usually found in and around human habitation in gardens, groves etc. They are frugivorous and occasionally feed on insects.

Male sunbirds have sparkling colors of plumage and the female usually being much duller and without metallic luster. Sunbirds feed mainly at the blossoms of flowering trees and shrubs. Purple-rumped sunbirds male has metallic green crown and purple throat and rump and bright yellow lower breast and belly with distinctive greyish white flanks, narrow maroon band across upper breast. Female has greyish white throat, olive rump, yellow belly and grayish brown upper parts.


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Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicata)

White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis)

Bulbuls are medium sized birds with soft, fluffy feathers. It has short and round wings with a long tail and short, weak legs and looks smaller in size than Myna. Red-vented Bulbul has crested black head and white rump and white tipped black tail and red vent. They feed on berries and other fruits, insects, buds of trees and shrub.

Indian Robins show sexual dimorphism. An adult male of Indian Robin has glossy black under-parts and white shoulder patch. Adult female has greyish-brown upper-parts and pure grey under-parts and lacks white shoulder patch; wings are uniform grey-brown and has plain black head. It is a familiar bird, hanging round the haunts of men, the outskirts of villages. They forage mainly by hopping about on the ground in search of prey, or by perching on a

low vantage point. Frequently flips the tail and has a habit of holding it vertically over the back.

Wagtails have long legs, relatively long toes and a thin, pointed bill. It is a black and white bird with black head, neck, mantle and breast with white eyebrows. It frequently wags its tail up and down and generally has a strong

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undulating flight. They feed mainly by picking insects from the ground as they walk along, or by making short rapid runs to capture insects they have flushed. It is seen in wetlands and marshy areas and nearer to water bodies.

Coucals are large skulking birds with long graduated tail with weak flight. Coucals are ter restrial birds, frequently seen in dense undergrowth, bamboo forests, tall grasslands or scrub jungle. It is easily identified by its large size with glossy black head, body and tail, contrasting chestnut

wings, and red eye. Immature and juvenile Coucals differ from adult by having brownish black head and body, with chestnut spotting on crown and nape and has barred flight feathers. Although, it is a member of Cuckoo family, they are non-parasitic brooder and they build nests. They feed on small mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, nestlings, eggs, insects and spiders.

Tailorbird is smaller than a sparrow. It is a small active bird with a long, de-curved bill, short wings and a graduated tail. It is a yellowish green warbler with whitish under-parts and rust-colored crown. It is readily identified by long tail. Breeding male has elongated central tail feather and female also have similar characters but has a fan shaped tail. Mostly found singly or in pairs and active near human habitation. It keeps hopping energetically with erect tail in herbage and undergrowth. It constantly flicks its tail from side to side. They are always busy in hunting insects. Tailorbirds are named for their habit of sewing leaves to form a cup, in which the egg is laid.

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)


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Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)

Black kite (Milvus migrans)

Owlets are smallest among the owls. They have a large round head, big forward facing eyes surrounded by a facial disc, and a short tail. They are nocturnal and coloured in camouflaged pattern. Spotted Owlet is the most common Owlet seen everywhere and screaming during night times on nearby places. It has a pale facial and pale hind-collar. It has prominent white spotting on crown, mantle and wing-coverts, and brown spots on under-parts. It mostly hides in tree hollow, shady branch of a mature tree or in a chimney or under roof. It used to congregate frequently around streetlight at night and hunt insects.

Black Kite is a large dark brown bird, easily distinguished by its forked tail, easily noticeable during its flight. These Kites used to perch on electric poles, palm trees and often soaring on thermals and drifting with the wind on motionless wings in day times. They feed on wide variety of food like fishes,

poultry chicks, lizards, amphibians, and garbages. Black Kite is troublesome birds to poultry owners, as they seize the opportunity to consume the unguarded poultry chicks. Their feeding ground includes dump yards, slaughterhouse. Kites are efficient scavengers, working in towns, villages.

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The inland lakes, rivers, reservoirs, marshes, estuaries, lagoons constitute the wetland ecosystem. The birds that live in this ecosystem are widely called as "Wetland birds". Bird species included here are Little Grebe, Common Moorhen, Little Cormorant, Darter, White-breasted Waterhen, Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Ibis, Indian Pond Heron, Lesser Whistling-duck, White-breasted Kingfisher and Brahminy Kite.

Brahminy Kite is a bird of prey with a long tail, strong toes and sharply curved bill to tear the carrions and to predate on chicks and rodents. Chestnut in color, with white head and neck, having rufous under-parts with black shaft streaks and black wing tip. The juveniles are distinct by their round tail and have large whitish patches at base of wings.

Grebes are well adapted aquatic birds that can dive from the surface and swim well under the water. Little Grebe is a small, stocky grebe, often with puffed-up rear end. It is dark brown in colour with paler thigh, cheeks and sides of neck are rufous, and has yellow patch at base of bill. They are seen in lakes, ponds, tanks. They

have strong legs & are placed near the rear of their almost tailless body, and the feet are lobed. They feed mainly on fish and aquatic invertebrates, which are caught by diving.

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

WETLAND BIRDS


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Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Indian Pond Heron is a small, short-legged heron, with whitish wings and tail. Adult breeding bird has yellow buff head and neck with white forehead. It has white wings with buff wash across wings. It has bluish yellow or bluish orange bill with dark tip, and legs can

be bright yellow or even reddish color. Non-breeding bird has dark brown head, neck and breast streaked. It is seen in marshes, flooded paddy field, village tanks, lakes and mangrove. Usually solitary when hunting, but will gather in large numbers at drying-out pools to feed on flies.

Little Cormorant is a crow like aquatic bird and has a short and stout bill, rectangular shaped short head, and stout neck with long tail. Its feathers are glossy black in colour with bluish or greenish tinges and it has silvery grey upper parts. It has a short crest, and a few white feathers on forehead and sides of head.

Kingfishers are a small to medium sized birds with large head, long strong beak and short legs. White-breasted Kingfisher- a large, cosmopolitan Kingfisher has long red

bill, chocolate brown head and under-parts. It has white throat and breast with brilliant turquoise-blue upper-parts including rump and tail. Among Kingfishers, this species is often seen away from water. It

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plunges head into water to catch fish. It feeds mainly on fish, tadpoles and invertebrates; frogs, snails, crabs, lizards and rodents.

White-breasted Waterhen is a wader with long legs for wading and short rounded wings. It’s body is laterally compressed, enabling it to run through reeds and undergrowth. It is a very striking bird and has white face, fore-neck and breast, dark slate-gray hind-neck with grey, upper-parts and flanks, and rufous-cinnamon lower belly, vent and tail. It has long lime green bill with red base. It is less shy and often feeds in the open areas and on dry land.

Stilt is an elegant bird with a long bill, and longer legs in proportion to the body than any other birds. Black-winged-stilt is very long-legged, black and white wader with fine, straight black bill. At rest shows mainly white head, neck and underbody, and reddish pink legs. Both sexes can have dusky grey crown, nape and hind-

neck. It is a noisy wader readily agitated and have graceful walk. They eat insects and aquatic invertebrates and small fish. They are mostly seen in fresh water and brackish marshes, pools, village tanks, reservoirs, salt-pans, industrial cooling ponds. They build nest on a mound or islet surrounded by shallow water or on a dry bank.

Darters are large water birds with long neck, spear-shaped bill. They are good swimmers, submerging the whole body inside the water and exposing only the long neck outside. It's anatomically modified and

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)


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flexible neck gives it an S-shape, and while swimming, gives a picture of snake on the water and gaining the name, "Snake bird". The strong musculature in head and neck helps in its forceful thrust for hunting fishes and its darting behavior gave its name "Darter".This black coloured bird has grey streaks on their back, with whitish chin and throat. They engage most of the time in drying the wings and feathers with stretched wings and perform preening.

Lesser Whistling-ducks are gregarious birds that can be seen near shallow water with extensive marshy vegetation. Roosts on trees. The Lesser Whistling-ducks are small and make whistling notes. Move generally in groups of dozens to hundreds to thousands. They feed on snails, frogs, fishes, etc. The wing feathers produce

noise while in flight. They are active at night also; they sleep less at night and do mid-day roosting.

Asian Openbill Stork is unique bird with specialized beak structure adapted for feeding on its favourite food snails. The long neck and long legs aids in reaching longer distance to catch their prey. These are greyish to white coloured stork with black long and broad wings. They nest and breed in trees along with other individuals of its species and also with Cormorants,

Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica)

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)

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Ibises, Herons. It is a common site to see Painted Storks nests along with Asian Openbill nest. They make some specific beak clattering sounds often.

Pelicans can be identified by its characteristic large bill and huge pouch. Spot-billed Pelicans can be seen in marshes, rivers, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs. They roost and nest in trees alongside with Storks, Egrets, Cormorants' nests. Pelicans generally move in groups, i.e., they make communal feeding, communal roosting and fly in groups.

These are black headed waders with long de-curved black bill, dark legs and bare head and robust body. In the breeding season the black turns golden in colour and the skin under wing turns red. They move in small

groups for feeding. The feet are adapted for wading purpose or to walk on marshes and swamps, in their habitat. This Ibis have a binocular vision for locating their food, but mostly they locate their food by touch. They move in groups for feeding, roosting and also nests along with other birds of their species.

Moorhens are hen like birds occuring in marshes and are very shy, and are generally silent. It has two long legs for wading and short rounded wings. Indian Moorhens have yellow tipped red bill and red frontal shield, red irises, blackish head and neck, slate grey under-parts, and dark olive-brown upper-parts, white under tail feathers and

Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)


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white thigh, and yellow-green legs and looks red above knee. They are found singly or in pairs or even in small parties, always roaming around aquatic plants and also feeds on land near water bodies. It is a good walker; walks on lily or lotus leaves in ponds and pools.

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Henceforth the female occupies herself with making the interior of the nest to her liking whilst the male completes the entrance tunnel. They normally lay two eggs. It is commonly seen in cultivations and paddy fields.

Parakeets are the long tailed parrots we see in our place. Stout hooked bill with the upper mandible strongly curved and overlapping the lower mandible are characteristic to them. Rose-ringed Parakeets have grassy green feathers with long graduated tail and red bill. Male has black chin stripe joining with pink hind collar and female lacks the chin stripe and collar, and is all green in color. Rose-ringed parakeet is found in gardens, groves, and villages, and around human habitation.

Spotted Dove is a pinkish brown bird, having white spots on neck with a conspicuous black and white 'chess board' at base of hind-neck, darker grey brown rump and tail with blackish outer tail feathers. They are found in pairs or small parties and assemble in fields, gardens, and in open forests. It has a flight with a peculiar jerky action

of gliding and abrupt brake with wing and outspread tail. It mostly feed on grains of paddy cereals, lentils, pulses, grass and weeds.

Peacock, our national bird, has glossy blue crown, neck, upper mantle and breast, metallic green lower mantle and back, and spectacular glossy green train. Train comprises numerous elongated upper-tail

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

FARMLAND BIRDS

The birds that live in farmland and grassland areas are important in many ways to us. Many of them, like the insect eating birds like Black Drongo, Small Green Bee-eaters help the farmers by controlling the pests. The following thirteen birds are selected for the serious observation.

Baya Weaver bird is a small, round, sparrow-like bird with large, conical bill, and have brownish-buff upper-parts, boldly streaked with dark brown, and buff to pale yellowish underparts and show sparse streaking on sides of breast and flanks and with heavily streaked crown. Adult bird in breeding season has yellow crown and dark brown ear-coverts and throat. It has un-streaked yellow breast and dark streaked yellow head and bill is dark blackish brown. A typical weaver and builds a retort-shaped nest with a long vertical entrance tube hanging from a tip of a branch of an isolated tree. They build nests by using strips of rice grass, plantain leaf, and coir or coconut fronds. The construction of the nest is just like a pendant loop to form skeleton of the structure. Porches are built in the upper part on each side, and later developed and broadened into the egg-chambers and entrance tube.

Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)


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coverts with blue-centered green and copper ocelli. Peahen lacks sweeping train and has fan-like crest, whitish face and throat, chestnut-brown crown and hind-neck, metallic green upper breast and mantle, white belly, and brown back, rump and tail. It is gregarious everywhere, keeping in small flocks of usually one cock and three to five hens during breeding season. It is highly protected for religious or any other reason in many parts of India. Peafowls eat insects, worms and live in shrublands, villages and cultivation. Peafowls feed and nest on ground, but roost in trees at night.

Black Drongos are aggressive medium sized birds with black and glossy feather with long deeply forked tail. They have very small white spot near to the base of their bill and this helps to identify Black Drongo from other drongos. They are found singly or in pairs. Sometimes, they gather as flocks during winter season. They usually perch on leafless treetop, telegraph wires, fence posts or earthen bunds separating fields. It is also seen riding on the back of grazing

cattle or wild herbivores and snatch the insects disturbed by the animals. Often hunt insects even after dusk and makes frequent visit to catch insects in mid air. They fearlessly attack crows and raptors.

Egrets are the white larger birds we see with long legs for wading and to walk in water bodies. It has a slender body and long head and neck; fly with leisurely flap, with the legs outstretched and

Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

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projecting beyond the tail, and the head and neck always drawn back. Cattle Egret is distinct by shorter and stouter yellow bill, shorter legs and shorter and stouter necks. Their association with grazing cattle for fetching their prey brought them this name.

Bee-eaters are brightly coloured birds with long de-curved beak, pointed wings and very short legs. They feed almost entirely on flying insects, especially Honeybee forming the major diet of Bee-eaters. Their prey is caught on the wing, by making short, swift sallies like a flycatcher from an exposed perch such as a treetop,

branch, posts or telephone wire. They have blue or green throat and variable golden-brown to rufous coloration in crown and nape. They have green long central tail feathers. They are commonly seen in open country with scattered trees, cultivation; on coasts, sandy areas above high-water mark. They build nest on the holes in the mud flats and near riverbank. They are communal roosters, roost communally in thick canopy trees.

Lapwings are small medium sized waders with round head, short neck and short bill. Red-wattled Lapwing has black crown, black throat and breast which contrast with white cheeks, sides of breast and belly. It has black-tipped red bill, red wattle, iris and eye ring, and yellow legs. In flight, it shows white wing bar and black band across tail. Keeps in pairs or small flocks. A vigilant and noisy bird, get alarmed soon and make restless calls like "did he do it….. pity to do it" while circling overhead. Walks or runs in short spurts, then stops and

Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)


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probes with body tilted forward. They forage during the night and in early morning and evening. Usually flies slowly and with deep flaps. Lapwings are ground-nesting birds. The nest is a circular depression scraped in the soil, and it is sometime encircled with small stones or pieces of hard clay. It lays up to four eggs.

Blue Jays are named as rollers after their habit of rolling or diving during breeding display courtships. They are strongly built, medium sized birds with large head and short neck. It has a blue crown, rufous brown nape, white streaking on ear coverts and throat. It has brownish olive green upper-parts, and turquoise deep blue wings and

tail. It spends most of the day on a prominent treetop in an open area. It is quite commonly seen in cultivation, gardens, groves near villages and open deciduous forest. It feeds on large insects, crickets, beetles, flying termites, locusts, also eats lizards and small mammals. They build their nests in dead tree holes and particularly prefer palm trees, roof of houses or in compound walls.

These are birds often seen in grassland perching at the top of shrubs of small plants. Males are black colour with white wing patches. The female has dark brown upperparts and rufous underparts and rump, and no white wing patches. You can see them in open grassland, plantation, bushes, near cultivation grounds, majorly in rural areas, perching at the top of shrubs or small plants.

The body structure and feeding habit makes it one of the accomplished birds. Their long wings and tail for excellent flying and

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)

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catching the prey, and their unrestricted diet including all available insects and fruits make them successful birds in grassland ecosystem. They feed on small insects, beetles, moths, earthworms, etc. Pied Bushchats are monogamous birds i.e., they pair with same partners in breeding seasons. They love to be solitary and never seen in mixed groups of their own species.

Silverbill male has dull brown upperparts, with scaly crown and narrow supercilium. He has white coloured lower back and rump region. The short stout conical bill is designed for seed eating. The upper mandible of the bill is dark grey to blackish and lower mandible pale bluish grey. Female Silverbill has more buff face

and chest with less prominent supercilium. They move in group and feed on seeds, rice, and millet seeds from growing plants in cultivated fields. It builds nest in a large ball of coarse grasses, lined with finer grass, with a lateral entrance hole.

Male Grey Francolins have uniform and finely patterned buff throat with spur, while female bird looks almost similar but lacks spur. They feed on seeds, cereals, grass, berries, etc. They are sedentary birds and fly only when they are forced. They lay eggs on uncovered ground. They are good runners, a special feature to escape from the predator in ground. When disturbed, they fly making strong flappings and glide to rest on ground. They roost in bushes or short plants.

Indian Silverbill (Lonchura malabarica )

Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus)


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Rosy Starling (Sturnus roseus)

Rosy Pastors are starlings or mynas with pink body, black head, neck, throat, wings and tail. During breeding season, male gets pastel pink colour in body with long and elongated nape feathers as crest and red bill to attract the female, whereas female has short crest and less shiny head. They feed on a wide variety of foods such as insects, cereals, wheat, nectar, caterpillars, snails, spiders, small fruits. They move and feed in large groups. They are hole nesters and lay 3-6 bluish eggs. Male and female participate in building the nest in the cracks and crevices of buildings or in between stones.

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Myna having creamy white around eyes, forehead and crown and pale bluish white iris. It has pale grey wings and rump, with yellow bill and white head. It is commonly seen in scrub jungle. They are also called as seven sisters. They are gregarious, noisy and excitable birds calling to each other almost continuously and joining in a chorus of speaking and chattering when alarmed. They are communal breeders and take care of their young chicks collectively.

Barbets are also fruit eating birds seen in woodlands. Sometimes, it is very difficult to see them in tree foliage. However they are very vocal and always heard. Coppersmith Barbet is smaller in size and brightly coloured. It is easily identified by the crimson breast. It has yellow patches around eyes with blackish crown and sides of head. It has red color legs and feet. It makes the sound of someone knocking on a copper vessel, hence the name.

Treepie has long straight bill with strong feet and legs and has a tuft of nasal bristles extending over the base of the upper mandible. They are strong fliers and have an uniform slate-grey head extending to breast and hind neck, rufous head, pale grey wing, rufous belly and black-tipped silvery-grey tail. They are chiefly in trees and seen commonly in gardens with trees and bushes, village groves, roadside avenues, plantations. It has

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)

Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)

Woodlands is the next habitat identified in this progamme. As this programme visualizes participation of students and general public, birds restricted to deep jungles are avoided here and the common birds which are frequently visible in the wooded country sides are identified as the candidate species for our observation.

Hornbills are frugivorous birds. They are large birds with broad, long and strong curved bills like horn, hence they are called as Hornbills. They lay two eggs in tree holes. Female Hornbill will seal herself in the hole with the small opening and male will feed the mother and kids.

Babbler has soft, loose feathers, short or fairly short wings, and strong feet and legs. Yellow-billed Babblers are similar in size like

Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris)

Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis)

WOODLAND BIRDS


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a wide variety of harsh, metallic and mewing notes which attracts us towards it.

Ioras' are small, brilliantly colored, beautiful bird. Male bird looks different from female by entirely black to yellowish green and has black tail, crown fore head and head vary from entirely black to yellowish-green. Female has yellowish to greenish upper parts, but always has green tail. It keeps singly or in pairs, they feed on insects and caterpillars among foliage. Usually seen in broad-leaved trees in open forest, forest edges, secondary growth. It's calls are very peculiar whistling notes.

Another name of this species is Brain fever bird, and is a medium sized cuckoo with greyer, more uniform upper-parts, throat is whitish, variably mottled or washed with. Rufous on under-parts is paler and more extensive, and belly flanks have barring. This cuckoo has an elongated body with fairly long neck, long and graduated tail and de-curved bill. They are arboreal and noisy bird. They are

notorious for their nest parasitism, lay eggs in the nest of other species. They are seen in well-wooded deciduous and semi-evergreen country, favoring grooves, mangroves, orchards, gardens and cultivation.

Orioles are medium sized birds like Myna. Golden Orioles are winter migrants to southern part of India. Adult Golden Oriole male has a small black eye patch, golden yellow head and body, largely black

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

Common Hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius)

Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

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wings with yellow shades, yellow and black tail. Adult female has yellowish green upper-par ts, blackish streaks on whitish under-parts, brownish-olive wings with yellow rump and brownish olive tail. They are tree dwellers, inhabiting forests or well-wooded areas, and can be found in woodland, groves, orchards and on trees, at the edge of cultivation and feed chiefly on hairy caterpillars.

Woodpeckers are arboreal, and usually seen clinging to, and climbing up the vertical trunks and lateral branches in search of the insects. The bill is powerful, for boring into wood to get insects and for excavating nest holes. Black-rumped Flameback or the Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker is a common medium sized woodpecker with golden yellow upper-parts, black and white face pattern, and black streaking or scaling on under-parts and male has scarlet crown

and crest; female has white spotted black forehead and fore-crown and scarlet hind-crown and crest. It has a combination of black lower back and rump. It is easily found in places of light forest, forest plantations and groves, trees around villages and cultivation and open wooded countries.

Minivets are brilliantly coloured small birds with a long tail and makes "tswee-eet" or "swee-swee" calls. Male adult Minivet has dark grey face, eye to throat. It has bright orange colour in back and in rump

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

Small Minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus)


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region, brilliant orange in breast, yellow belly, creamy yellow near the vent and fading to cream across vent. Small Minivets have dark brown iris, black bill and legs. In case of female bird, the forehead is white with thin supercilium and white eyelid, white throat, pale orange rump and pale greyish crown. Small Minivets are frequently seen in orchards and wooded country sides. They feed on caterpillars, moths, cicadas, etc.

Hoopoes have short legs, rounded wings, and has cinnamon pink feathers with the wings boldly marked black and white. It looks rufous orange or orange in colour, black-tipped fan like crest, which is usually held flat and long. Hoopoes are found singly or in pairs,

searching for food on the ground, running and walking actively. It probes and picks-up insects from grass. They are seen commonly in open country, lightly wooded areas, cultivation and villages. It prefers areas where there is some grass or herb cover. Hoopoe caught the imagination and interest of man from the earliest ages. Realistic portraits of the Hoopoe have been found in Mural paintings of ancient Egypt.

Flycatchers are insectivorous birds with a small flat bill, and bristles at the gape, which help in the capture of flying insects. Adult male has silvery white with metallic black crested head and two

Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Asian Paradise - flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

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long, narrow ribbon like tail feathers. Young male and female have chestnut body with greyish white under-parts with a streamers tail in male; female is without tail. His ribbon like tail, trail behind him during his flight. They are seen in wooded gardens, scrub and bamboo forest. They build nest of moss in crevices in a rock ledge tree hole or among aerial roots.

Pied Cuckoo is a migratory cuckoo bird considered as a harbinger of the Monsoon rains due to the timing of its arrival. A medium sized, black and white Cuckoo relatively common across the country. The distinctive crest and the white wing patch are the prominent field characters. They are very vocal during the breeding season.

Its call, a ringing series of whistling notes "piu-piu" is common in the country-side during the summer. This is considered as a summer breeding visitor to north India and seasonal movements are known in most part of India. Though it is considered as migratory bird from Africa, there are records of resident population in many parts of south India. Details about their migration and occurrence in many parts of the country are not yet clear. It is worth monitoring the size of population and the movement, feeding and breeding of this bird in all the places wherever it is visible.

This is a bird of prey. It hunts its prey and is seen all over the Indian subcontinent. It is smaller than a house crow. It has short and round wings. Bill is short, powerful with sharp curve and has powerful toes to hunt or kill its prey. Male has pale blue-grey upper-parts with dark grey wings, pale and fine brownish orange bars on under-parts, unbarred white thighs and lightly barred central tail feathers. Female looks similar to male but upper parts are pale brownish-grey in color.

Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

Shikra (Accipiter badius)


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Usually found singly or in pairs and frequently soars in small circles. Hunts on small mammals, birds and it is a big menace for poultry chicks.

GLOSSARY

That are pertaining to tree branchesArboreal

Biodiversity The variety and variability of life in an area. This refers to genetic variation, species variation or ecosystem variation within an area, region or world.

Biogeography

Predator birds like Eagles, Kites and OwlsBirds of prey

A pale yellowish colour

Brood parasite

Buff

Camouflage

Carnivore Species that feed on flesh and animal materials

Climate change

Non-parasitic species that benefit from host without affecting it

Commensal

Resting or sleeping behaviour of birds in groupsCommunal roosting

Competition

Crustacean

DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane - a colourless, tasteless and almost odourless compound for killing insects

Deciduous Trees that lose their leaves seasonally

The study and understanding of geographical distributions of living and extinct organisms

The behaviour of birds to lays its eggs in other species' nests

The property of the living organism to merge with the natural background colour to escape an attack of predators

An evident and persisting change in the weather pattern over a considerable period of years

A common demand by two or more organisms upon a limited supply of resources like, food, mates, and nesting sites, etc.

Arthropod of the subphylum Crustacea including shrimps, crabs, etc.

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Diurnal Species that are active during the daytime

The species that nears the extinctionEndangered

Species restricted to a geographical region or localityEndemic

ENTB Exploring Nature Through Birds

Estuary The channel of a river where it mixes with salt sea water

Extinction The termination of an organism or the group of organisms

Frugivore Fruit eating birds

Birds that feed on grains or seedsGranivore

Grassland The area that nurtures and encompasses the growth of long grasses

Habitat Place or environment in which specified organisms live

Herbivore Plant - eating animals

Interior lakes that are remote from open water or seaInland lakes

Insectivore Insect eating animals

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and natural resources

Lagoons A shallow body of water that is separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs

Lower mandible The lower section of the bill

Animals that prefers feeding on molluscsMolluscivore

Diclofenac A chemical compound used as pain killer A soft-bodied invertebrate of the phylum Mollusca with hard outer shell

Molluscs

Nasal bristlesStiff feathers found on bird head and are used primarily for sensory functions

Nectarivore Animal that feed on nectar of flowers

National Council for Science & Technology Communication

Living organisms that are active during nightNocturnal

Non-passerine Non-perching birds like wetland birds and ground-nesting birds

Birds that feed on both plant and animal materialsOmnivore

Birds that perches in the tree with specially adapted feet, include song birds

Passerine

Birds that feeds in open sea areasPelagivore

Perch An object in which a bird rest, mostly the branch of a tree

Birds that feed on fishes

Feathers

Piscivore

Plumage

Birds that are able to walk and feed themselves immediately after its hatching

Precocial

Predator Any animal that hunts or kills other animal mainly for food

Preening Brooming

The place where a bird rests or sleeps (usually in a tree branch)

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History

Roost

Forest with the combination of trees bearing leaves all around the year and trees that sheds leaves seasonally

Semi-evergreenforest

SACON

NCSTC

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Sexual dimorphism

A clear external morphological differentiation between male and female

Streamer tail The elongated outer tail feathers

Supercillium The region pertaining to eyebrow

Voice organ in birdsSyrinx

Terrestrial Related to land

Threatened A species that are at risk of extinction

Train feathers The long tail feathers

Understory The third layer of the evergreen forest with the trees height 17 m

Upper mandible The upper section of the bill

Vahana Vehicle (in Sanskrit)

Vermivore Birds that feed on worms

Vertebrate Living organism with a skull, vertebral column and well developed brain that includes fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals

Wader Long legged wetland or shore bird

BOOK - LEARN ABOUT BIRDS - Sacon Education · and radio programmes, books, slide sets, etc., (3)...

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Transcript of BOOK - LEARN ABOUT BIRDS - Sacon Education · and radio programmes, books, slide sets, etc., (3)...